Reading Rockets continued their prolific season with their 29th consecutive win to lift the National Trophy in Derby on Sunday afternoon.

Rockets have now won the Trophy three years running and again, against last season’s treble winners Manchester Magic, came from 17-9 down in the first quarter to win the title with an absolutely magnificent fourth period.

The story of the day was of the division’s top two sides battling it out for the title with no quarter given or asked.

Magic’s Taner Adu was in excellent form throughout the game and finished as the game’s top scorer with 20 personal points.

But in a magnificent defensive team performance where strength in depth showed through, Rockets chipped away at Magic's lead till the last play of the first half when Ryan Lohfink scored to take Rockets to the interval with a slender two point lead at 34-32.

The first period was less than two minutes old when influential guard Dan McKay fell heavily to the floor in a collision with John Linsley and needed Rockets physio Jess Pascall’s attention.

David ‘Tin Tin’ Watts opened Rockets scoring with a three and Simon Kearney scored from a pair of determined drives, but Magic had a 6-0 run before Rich Wellings hit the first of five glorious three pointers to keep Rockets in contention.

Magic were at the free throw line often in the opening quarter scoring a third of their points this way.

Lohfink scored from beyond the arc and Terrell Smith hit his first point of the game as Rockets ended the quarter 16-21 down.

Lohfink was fouled off Rockets in the first possession of the second quarter before a great steal and pass to Wellings for two more points saw Rockets just a point adrift.

Watts took a brace of great defensive boards before Lohfink was called for his third personal foul.

A fit again McKay fought tigerishly under the basket for two points as the scores were even at 22-22.

Both teams swapped baskets but four quick Magic points saw them move 28-24 in front.

Rockets captain Wellings took a charge epitomising the stance Rockets needed to take to fight and retain the Trophy they had held for the two previous years.

Yet another superb steal by Smith and great offensive boards by Lohfink leading to a Kearney three point play saw Rockets finish the period with a 10-4 run and a two point locker room lead at 34-32.

The Rockets 18-11 second quarter advantage had encouraged the hordes of travelling supporters who outnumbered the Magic supporters by about four to one.

An interesting statistic from the first half meant Rockets scored 15 points from the bench while Magic had only managed two – a true sign of quality in depth.

The third period saw exchanges of fouls and points as Magic drew level and then went four points ahead.

But then captain Wellings hit the first of three big three pointers in a two minute period including a pair of back to back giving the whole team a lift.

It proved a pivotal moment as from that point on Rockets outscored Magic by 28 points to 11.

Rockets defence was awesome and their board play and fast breaks increased in intensity and number as Magic just could not find weaknesses in Rockets play.

The fourth period began with Rockets having a slender 54-50 lead but rejections and blocks by Jason Sayers and Watts coupled with clinical finishing saw Rockets power their way with some class to a magnificent final 26-6 period.

Wellings, Lohfink and Watts hit timely three pointers as Rockets hit nine while keeping Magic’s shooting guards to just one throughout the game, and that with just two minutes to play.

Titmuss was absolutely thrilled with Rockets defensive performance and sacrificial team ethics as Rockets were deservedly victorious on a day to remember in the Midlands.

Lohfink played a huge contribution at both ends of the court and was the game’s deserved Most Valued Player with Wellings hitting five threes in his 19 point haul while Watts finished with 15 points.